I’m trying to decide where I’m going to attend college next year. I plan to major in geology and I’ve narrowed it down to UT Austin and CU Boulder. From what I can tell, Boulder is going to cost about 30k less. I’ve read about how UT has a very small geology program with a large budget that I’ll get a very good education from. What I’m wondering is how does CU Boulder compare? I think I would enjoy living in Boulder a little more with all of the outdoor activities, but I would enjoy Austin as well, so I am really torn between the two. Which school is going to offer the edge in getting into a good grad school and job?
Both are strong geology programs and they seem to be about the same size. According to niche, the annual number of undergrad geology graduates at each school are roughly the same.
I don’t know about Austin, but Colorado (and the bordering states, especially Utah) is also a geological treasure trove .
Departments are equally good. Universities overall are equally good.
If CU is $30K cheaper, well, then I think that settles it.
I live in Austin and it’s a very popular school, but having visited UT as well as Boulder, I liked Boulder a lot more (and I might actually be going.) UT is a really good school and I’m not knocking it, but if you really like Boulder, I wouldn’t expect UT to be just like it. Also Austin is stupid hot. Good luck with your decision-making process!!
CU would be a better option for geology - many good geos went to Boulder